The Promise of Dawn

Finally, as the echoes of the song faded, the mist gradually receded. The sky, too, seemed to grow brighter.

Unbeknownst to her, Elise’s eyes were brimming with tears, yet a faint smile still graced her lips. From that distant day, many years ago, Elise had already resolved to embark on a solitary journey, to become an unseen sentinel, patiently awaiting the arrival of shooting stars.

“South Creek, we’ve arrived.”

A soft call stirred South Creek from her reverie, prompting her to instinctively glance around. After what felt like an endless trek, an infinitely vast world unfolded before her eyes. Indeed, this was an expansive cliff, lying merely tens of meters below the true summit. Such an elevation was more than sufficient to clear the swirling mists and gaze directly upon the boundless sky.

From this vantage point, thousands of miles of the world stretched out beneath them, encompassing encircling mountains, undulating rivers, and verdant forests. The gradually paling sky still held lingering specks of starlight. Looking westward, one could discern the world’s moon—an azure, graceful crescent casting its shadow across the heavens.

All creation was poised to awaken, stirring from the long night’s slumber. Across the land, yet untouched by the sun’s full embrace, even a whisper of warmth could stir their senses. Indeed, the day was about to break.

“Pay close attention… this is truly a rare and magnificent spectacle.”

South Creek gazed eastward, her eyes unwavering. The celestial bodies of this world seemed to adhere to the same laws of motion as those of her original world. The dense cloud cover, which had veiled the sky, had thinned somewhat today for reasons unknown, allowing glimpses of the sky’s true hue. Winds and clouds churned, and several birds, roused by the wind, sang out joyfully, soaring with unrestrained freedom.

Suddenly, streaks of golden light pierced through the clouds. Though initially faint, they grew progressively clearer. First, delicate threads of gold appeared, followed by crimson, cerulean, azure, and amber. The hues intensified, growing more vibrant and distinct, until a sliver of the glorious orb became visible. The colors then intertwined, like a grand ball reaching its crescendo, twirling and merging to blossom into an even more fantastical spectrum.

Time flowed languidly as the dazzling orb gradually unveiled its full, magnificent form. It was radiant and majestic, its presence too brilliant to behold directly. Even the dream-like tapestry of colors that had danced across the sky dimmed beneath its incandescent glow. It proclaimed its arrival to the world with a grand flourish, and all living beings offered their acclamations.

Everything was bathed in light. Mountains and rivers alike were adorned with a shimmering, iridescent cloak, a testament to the sun’s benevolence. Every blade of grass and tree in the forest bowed in reverent worship, imploring the blossoming of life. Creatures sang praises to it, for in this moment, it was the sole epicenter of the world.

South Creek’s very soul was utterly captivated by this scene. She had never witnessed such a spectacle in her entire life, nor had she ever before felt such profound reverence or yearning for an existence that brought light and color to the world. Even if it was a dream too naive to be realized, or a desire far too grand, the girl yearned to pursue such radiance, to safeguard it. Therefore, it had to be voiced aloud.

“Sister Elise!”

“Hm? What is it?”

The woman, bathed in the morning sun, turned. Her gaze, like a goddess from the heavens looking back, sent a ripple through the air.

“I… I want to protect Sister Elise. I want to become strong—so strong that no one can ever defeat me. Then, I can protect you… and you won’t have to worry about me anymore.”

“South Creek…”

Staring nervously at the exquisite woman before her, South Creek found herself speechless. This was truly an absurd, almost laughable ideal; it was only natural to be met with ridicule.

Yet, in the very next moment, she witnessed something extraordinary. The woman, who seemed akin to a deity, unveiled a smile that could eclipse the beauty of all creation. Her laughter, as melodious as silver bells, was imbued with the warmth of the sun.

“Haha, hah—then it’s a promise.”

“That… I, what?”

South Creek, who had braced herself for a reprimand, felt her eyes abruptly light up. She took a deep breath, and the girl spoke with all her might.

“Mhm!”

“South Creek will protect her sister well in the future. She’ll become incredibly, incredibly strong, so her sister can live happily every day…”

“I’ll definitely do it!”

The two sisters gazed at each other. Though no words were spoken for a long while, their eyes conveyed everything.

“Since that’s the case, your sister will give you a gift too.”

Elise gently parted her collar, revealing her snow-white neck. With careful fingers, she fumbled behind her neck for a moment and unclasped a delicate necklace. The moment it was removed, it immediately captured South Creek’s attention. Strung on a simple hemp cord was a dazzling purple crystal, set within a meticulously crafted metal casing, radiating captivating hues under the sunlight.

“This necklace is one of my most treasured possessions. Now, I’m giving it to you.”

“Such a precious item… I…”

Just as South Creek was about to refuse, Elise, with an undeniable firmness, clasped the necklace around her neck. South Creek cautiously traced the purple crystal hanging at her throat with her fingers, feeling its cool touch, and something far more profound.

“Your sister also received this necklace from someone else. Entrusting it to you now, I believe it fulfills her wish as well. The purple crystal on the necklace is said to possess the power to grant wishes. I hope that with it, you’ll be able to achieve your dreams.”

“The power to grant dreams…”

“And a faint echo of memory…” Elise murmured softly.

South Creek, however, did not hear her words; instead, she had fallen into a momentary daze.

“Ah, the sunrise is over…”

“Over?”

She hastily looked up, only to see the sky once again slowly plunging into darkness. Thick clouds, tinged with scarlet, veiled the heavens, silently swallowing the sun. The brilliant light gradually vanished, and shadows once again draped the land, stripping the mountains and rivers of their luminous cloaks. The forest reverted to silence, and even the wind seemed to hush. Birds returned to their nests, and a thin mist began to rise.

Before long, everything returned to its former state, as if nothing had ever happened. Had South Creek not witnessed it with her own eyes, she would scarcely believe that, mere minutes ago, a divine miracle of nature had graced this very spot.

“Has it already come to this…”

“It seems to have grown dark around us again.”

Watching the surroundings grow dim once more, South Creek no longer felt afraid. Gathering her courage, she took her first step down the mountain.

“Let’s go back. I’m a little hungry now…”

Watching the small girl walk ahead of her, Elise couldn’t help but smile faintly and quickened her pace to match.

“Walk a little slower. Be careful not to fall.”

“Got it—”

As for the inevitable chore of washing clothes upon their return home, that was a concern for another time.